9th Generation Honda Civic Launched in Malaysia

Honda Malaysia today has revealed the 9th generation Honda Civic to Malaysia market. Comes in 4 variants, the pricing starts at RM115,980 for the 1.8S, rising to RM131,980 for 2.0S and topped by the 2.0 Navi at RM136,980. There's also a Hybrid version selling at RM119,980 for the environmentalist. For the current generation, there are also 3 variants on offer, namely 1.8S, 1.8 S-L and 2.0S after the Hybrid version was discontinued. Contrary to the current Civic, the tax-free Hybrid is no longer the cheapest in the range.

Externally, the 2012 Honda Civic retained the Civic FD sillhouette but with an added surface interplay. The entire front fascia comprises of headlights and grille is similar in concept with the Insight model, while the front bumper fascia is multi-faceted with many main surfacing to impart a more imposing front end. However, the new look has lost the low-slung look of the FD Civic. Finally, the fender size has been shrink as it no longer wrapped the whole headlight top edge like the FD size.

The rear end also gets the multi-faceted look, where the upper part of the rear bumper follow the plane of the rear combi before joining the lower portion that has more horizontal line. These lines seamlessly blend the rear wheelarches which in turns in blended with the rising sills along the lower edge of the door. The glass house too has been revised whereas the rear window ends with a kink, akin to the current Honda City. The 2.0L model is adorned with the 17" alloy wrapped by 215/45 R17 tyres. The entry-level 1.8S model make do with a smaller 16" wheel shod with 205/55 R16 tyres.

It is the interior that sets the previous generation Civic apart from its competitor. The new Civic continues that trend too by retaining the multiplex instrument panel. The design language is similar to the Honda CR-Z, but with the panache removed. Gone (compared to CR-Z) is the glossy black panel, intricate switches arrangement and fancy aircon dials. However, the single-piece control panel concept is still there where it housed the aircond duct on the far right , sweeping inwards with the lower meter screen before being ended with another aircond duct and audio system. It is a plain flat fascia. The fancy climate control are gone too, replaced by a more formal looking climate control panel. Another items that has gone to history is the egg-shaped gear level, circular alloy look gear console and reverse-lower portion hand brake where all of them has been replaced by a more formal looking item. Perhaps Honda is moving away from the sporty look to a more executive look with this generation of Civic, akin to the ES generation from 2001. There was a worry about interior plastic quality, but our press (tested the car in Thailand) and Oz press said this is no a concern at all.

One strong point of the Honda Civic is its spaciousness and this new Civic is no different. The 2.0L model gets an added luxury touch with the inclusion of leather upholstery while the cheaper 1.8S model make do with the fabric. The 2.0L Civic gets a dark cabin while the 1.8L version gets a lighter hue, but no beige this time around.

For the chassis, Honda engineers has decided to combat the trend of scaling up the car with each iteration of generations. So for this generation, they have loped off 30mm from the wheelbase, giving it 2,670mm in total, all without the loss of spaciousness. Overall length is 4,525mm, width 1,755mm and height 1,435mm. Chassis hardware is similar to the outgoing model with McPherson strut up front and multi-link at the back. Braking power is supplied by ventilated disc up front and solid back at the back.

In the powertrain department, it is a mixture of old and new. While the 1.8L lump is carried over, the DOHC 2.0L in previous Civic made way to the R20 from Accord/CR-V model. The 1,798cc lump kicks out 141PS@6,500rpm and 174Nm@4,300rpm of power and torque. The 1,997cc R20 punches 155PS@6,500rpm and 190Nm@4,300rpm. Both engine are mated to the 5 speed automatic transmission where the 2.0L version gets paddle shift control. Both engine are rated at EURO 3 emission performance. Fuel tank is 50L. The Hybrid version is powered by 1.5L gasoline engine paired to an electric motor and the combo produces 110PS@5,500rpm of power and 172Nm of torque between 1,000rpm and 3,500rpm.

In terms of equipment level, there are no major surprises and it mirrors the one in current Civic. The new item is the ECON button to boost your economy and the 2.0 Navi gets the 6.1" touch screen entertaintment system with navigation function.

Similar with the revamped Honda City recently, Honda is offering a 5 years warranty and unlimited mileage with the service interval of 10,000km. Some more photos can be found after the jump.

2012 Honda Civic Asia - clearer details on China 1.8 VTi

In mid September, we have seen the China version of the 2012 Honda Civic. It was photographed at Chengdu motorshow and the picture variations are quite limited. Almost two month down the road, the car has start to filter out to dealership and more photos are now available. This is the first time we see the new interior in black color. It managed to somewhat hide the cheapness-look to certain extent, but not by much. We can also see that the Navi screen does help a bit to reduce the awkwardness of jumbo button audio system, but again, not by much. For coverage of 2012 Honda Civic at Chengdu Motorshow, refer to my previous post at http://malaysia-motoring-news.blogspot.com/2011/09/honda-civic-sedan-debuted-at-chengdu.html#more . The review of Arab spec 2012 Civic can be read at http://malaysia-motoring-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/honda-civic-arabasia-first-design.html#more

Externally the new 2012 Civic Asia is slightly smaller than before. The length is now stands at 4535mm (5mm shorter), 1755mm wide (no change), 1450mm tall (+15mm) and rides on 2670mm wheelbase (30mm shorter). Despite this the trunk space is 14.15 litres bigger, due to more efficient packaging bringing it to 464 litres now. Weight has been trimmed by a shade too.

The weight reduction and increased in interior space is the indirect results of using High Strength Steel (HSS) in the body structure. As much as 55% of stamped panel is made from this material. The utilization of HSS typically results in lighter structure for a given strength and the reduction is reinforcement panel liberates more  usable space. Lightweight plastic parts are employed in engine bay and fuel tanks too.

Apart from that, the 2012 Honda Civic also employed more aerodynamic drag reduction device. Under bumper air guides, flat under tray and front and rear spats are among the incorporated bits and pieces that contribute to a more slippery aerodynamic profile.

In China, there are 3 variants of 1.8l namely base model 1.8 EXi, 1.8 VTi and 1.8 VTi Luxury. The 2.0l model meanwhile is available in Type S guise and Type S Luxury. The model we are looking into detail here is the 1.8l VTi.

Exterior Design - body panel, engine compartment, lighting and closure design

The new 2012 Civic is one non-adventurous example in design department, with plain styling for pretty much everywhere you look at. This has been debated in many internet media for quite sometimes. This version is however miles better than the USDM version which is plain and lack any garnishing to lift up the looks.

No horizontal bar in lower air intake like the Arab/US model. Foglamp has chrome surround

Rear end is similar to Arab model, except the Chinese lettering

The signal indicator is at the inner end of the headlamp instead of outer edge like USDM model

Good integration of headlamp with fender, hood and grille. But not for the gap between bumper and fender

Chrome garnish on the grille

More after the jump

Honda Civic Sedan debuted at Chengdu Auto Show 2011

It is debut again and again for Honda Civic, across many continents and a few permutation of model and variants. Maybe that's how Japanese car maker approach their product marketing, meticulously tuned and customized to specific market preference. What you see here is Honda Civic sedan, previously seen as bland USDM and slightly better looking GCC/UAE version. The China version is slightly different again, and this could point closer clue to how our Malaysian model will looks like, as the taste of these two countries are almost similar.

Two variants were launched at Chengdu for China market, the VTi and Type-S. These two variants are differentiated by engine size. The VTi is powered by 1.8l of R18A variety, with 142hp. The Type-S is powered by new 2.0l that produced 157bhp.

The VTi comes with the option of manual or automatic 5 speed gearbox, while the Type-S is only available in automatic gearbox. The car is promised to have an  improved fuel efficiency, the official quotes are 6.8l/100km for 1.8l engine and 7.4l/100km for the 2.0l lump. Importantly, the choice of engine mirror those available in Malaysia right now, so this could point to our choice of engine too.

The Type-S is marketed as sporty model and it comes with different rims, bumper treatment. The VTi is more conventional with different grille. More details after the jump.

More details and photos of 2012 Honda Civic European Model

2012 Honda Civic has been formally launched at 64th Frankfurt Motorshow by Honda Motor President and CEO. Compared to yesterday news, there's now more information on the powertrain line-up and dimension of the the new car.

I am personally begin to appreciate the beauty of this new car. Despite the critics that is flooding many international car sites right now on the new car styling, I find it more pleasing that the last car. The previous Civic is a bit too avantgarde for me, with its transparent grille, triangulated parts and cutouts, it feels too Gundam-inspired. Perhaps we can lobby Honda Malaysia to bring this car as an additional variant. With 470l of boot space, this is as accomodating as the Civic sedan, as well as Toyota Altis. To prevent competition with CKD Civic Sedan here, perhaps they can import in niche variant only, maybe 2.2l diesel version. What say you?

The new Civic hatchback is 4300mm long, 1700mm wide and 1440mm tall. The wheelbase is 2595mm. Comparing to the old car, it is 45mm longer, 65mm narrower, 20mm lower and 40mm has been chopped from the wheelbase.

The engine line-up for the new Civic is petrol 1.4l (100bhp that return 5.4l/100km), 1.8l (142bhp that return 5.8l/100km) and the revised i-DTEC 2.2l turbo-diesel with 150bhp. The diesel powertrain returned a pocket-friendly 4.2l/100km.

More details and photos after the jump.

2012 Honda Civic Euro revealed in Frankfurt

The new Honda Civic for European market has been revealed at Frankfurt Motorshow. The new car marks a progression of previous futuristically-design Civic Euro, with an added refinement, aerodynamics and occupants visibility. The car is still based on current generation platform, with the wheelbase shortened by 30mm. But Honda promised class-leading interior space as well as vast 470l of boot space by efficient packaging. Heavily revised torsion beam rear suspension and central mounted fuel tanks are concept carried from outgoing model and the key to efficient packaging.

The new Civic retained its predecessor proportion, but the exterior body panels has been totally redesigned.  The previously clean and taut surface, punctuated by straight lines and sharp angle intersection has been replaced with smoother, more creases and with more character. Honda designer said they were inspired by aircraft blended wing concept, but those from aeronautical world will surely struggle to find the similarities. Lets just say the new car has less sharp angle panel, reduced straight panel and replaced with curvier surface that meets other panels with bigger radius, and hence more "blended". Anyhow, the new design has a drag coefficient of 0.27. More details after the jump.

Honda Civic, City & Jazz "Product Update Campaign"

Honda Malaysia announced a "product update campaign" - possibly a glorified recall for three of its model in Malaysia - the Civic (2006-2008), City (2006-2007) and Jazz (2005-2007).

The reason for the campaign is to "implement preventive measures against undesired technical issues". More after the jump.

Honda Civic Asia 2012 - First Design Review

More pictures of Arab/Asia 2012 Civic start to surface out, thanks to GCC/UAE media during their first taste of the car. Since Arab previous Civic is the same as our Civic, it is safe to assume that this is highly likely to be Asian version too. They concluded that Civic is spacious for compact sedan, with sizable boot. However, driving excitement has been slightly toned down for more bias towards comfort. Finally the price is not that favorable. 

I have run a design comparison of 2012 Civic compared to our current FD model. Both have their pros/cons and some corner has visibly been cut in the 2012 model, evidence of cost cutting. More photos and details after the jump.

Honda Civic Arab unveiled in GCC market

2012 Honda Civic has been announced for GCC and UAE market. The car is basically what was described in the last post here. 

 More details after the jump.

2012 Honda Civic Asia/Arab version

As usual, Asian Civic get different front and rear treatment from its US sibling. So for this ninth generation, it will be the same story. Some pictures of Asia/Arab version has filtered down through the net. Since it is LHD, I guess this is still a Gulf version, where differences to Asia version will probably limited to steering position.

More details after the jump.